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In this course, students will explore the historical treatment of refugees, examine the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and 1967 Protocol, and review U.S. statutes, regulations, and case law governing the adjudication of U.S. asylum claims. Legal concepts in asylum law, such as the definition of persecution, discretion, protected grounds (race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, and political opinion), nexus, gender-based claims, grounds of exclusion and bars to asylum, will be explored. Students will be expected to submit a draft and a final paper of not more than 15 pages. Students are also required to research and make a presentation about an overseas refugee situation.